Visa & Immigration Update | China Waives Work Permit Requirement for Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau Job Seekers

Effective Date:       3 August 2018 
Impacted Area:      China   

Policy Highlights

Residents of Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau will no longer be required to obtain work permits when working for a company on the Chinese mainland. This was one of the 11 administrative permits that were cancelled on 3 August, 2018 by the State Council, China’s Cabinet.

The State Council of China has requested that the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security strengthen compliance and formulate rules in employment services, social security, unemployment registration and labour rights protection for employees from these three regions.

Impact of Above Changes 

This shift in policy means employees from Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau no longer need additional documentation for a work permit to take up jobs on the mainland. This should significantly simplify the process of relocation within the mainland cities. Previously, employers were required to submit up to 10 documents of paperwork for a work permit from the Ministry of Human Resources. The permits were not transferable, and employees would need a new one each time they switched jobs or relocated to another city. The permit also had to be renewed every two years.

However, new rules about the existing work permit holders have not been introduced by the Local State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs. SIRVA will continue to keep our clients and assignees updated once we receive the latest information.

How Can SIRVA Help?

Application of work permits and ensuring compliance to immigration laws can be very tedious and challenging for many human resource and talent mobility professionals today. SIRVA can help businesses ensure new and existing work permits are compliant with the latest policies and make sure an assignee is well orientated with the new job location.

For more information, please reach out to our SIRVA Immigration Specialists in China:
Beijing - Assalli Xu | T 8610-58700866 Ext 119| E assalli.xu@sirva.com
Shanghai – Sue Ding | T 8621-63323322 Ext 209 | E sue.ding@sirva.com
China - Sophia Hu | T 8621-63323322 Ext 206 | E sophia.hu@sirva.co